HOST Park's Cold Start Warm Finish Family Fun Run/Walk & Canicross
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HOST Park’s 2027 Cold Start Warm Finish Family Fun Run/Walk & Canicross
HOST Park’s event on January 9, 2027 takes place at NELHA Beach Park on Makako Bay Drive in Kailua Kona. The event offers multiple distances and a keiki dash, and is organized by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority. A Health and Wellness Fair will be located near the race start and finish area and includes local wellness vendors, dietary and mental health resources, music, and a keiki bubble party hosted by the Hawaii Keiki Museum. A raffle will randomly select bib numbers for prizes.
Distances offered:
- 10k run/walk
- 5k run/walk
- 5k Canicross hands-free run with one dog
- Keiki run, free and unlimited
Course and on-course features: the route is an out-and-back along Makako Bay Drive and coastal trails, with some hills. About 50% of the course is on paved road; the rest is on gravel roads or sandy trails fronting the Pacific Ocean. Multiple aid stations will be available. HOST Park will provide optional cold seawater run-through showers (about 5°C / 41°F), water feature arches, and cold and warm seawater foot plunges after the finish.
Registration and logistics: registration opens in 2026, with event limits and a closing date of January 7, 2027 or when capacity is reached. Entry limits: 10k limited to 200 athletes, 5k limited to 250 athletes, 5k canicross limited to 50 athlete-dog teams; keiki run has no limit. A tiered price schedule applies across several registration deadlines. Registered participants receive a finisher’s sun hoodie and a 10k or 5k pin. Packet pick up is available January 7–8 at the NELHA Administration Office.
Canicross specifics: athletes must use an approved hands-free human belt, a Y-chest band dog harness, and a bungee leash (4–6 ft max); only one dog per runner. A no-greet policy requires dogs to remain on leash and under control; reactive dogs are directed to a separate area and may wear a red bandana. Canicross starts are metered in 15-second intervals.
Timing, awards and limits: races have a two-hour time limit. Age-group divisions run from 19 & under through 70 & over. Awards include top three overall placements for male, female, athlete & dog, top triple crown teams, and top placements in each age-group division. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.